"Betty" Jackson age 85, passed into heaven on August 19, 2012. Betty was born on March 2, 1927. She was the daughter of the late Eva Catherine McQuaters and Raymond Orrin Ward. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Lillian Faith Jenkins. She was a Winter Park native. After graduating from Winter Park High School she attended Maryville College in Tennessee and graduated from Florida State University in 1948 majoring in Home Economics. She met her husband Francis L. Jackson there and they were married in December 1948. They returned to Winter Park where Francis opened one of the first State Farm Insurance Agencies in the area in 1950. Betty helped in the agency until becoming a fulltime mother to Nicki Jackson D'Amato, Casselberry; Fl.; Daryl Jackson Oberg (John), Ignace, Ontario, Canada; Ronald Jackson (Michael), Winter Park, FL; Rick Jackson (Jill), Oakwood, GA and Wendy Jackson Dalton, (Terry), Franklin, NC.
She will be remembered by all of us for the spiritual heritage she passed on to her children as she was a deeply devoted Christian. She gave generously to Christian ministries, her children, and others in need. Her mothering heart was a great blessing to even more than her own five children as others felt like they had a second mother in Betty.
Betty had a real interest in nutrition and was always ready to help everyone achieve better health through natural foods and vitamins. She was also an avid collector of recipes. Having passed on her love of music to all her children and grandchildren, she enjoyed playing piano and served as an interim pianist at Community Bible Church in Highlands, NC. Gardening was a passion of hers and wherever they lived, she enjoyed planting beautiful flower gardens around their homes in both Florida and the mountains.
In addition to her husband and children, Betty is survived by her sister Helen Ward Crossley of Orlando, FL, twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Fred Baker (Marilyn), New Smyrna Beach, and Dr. Hamilton Fish, Leesburg, sons that were "adopted" into the family when the family spent much time at New Smyrna Beach in the 1960's. The family is indebted to the loving and caring help that Betty received from Tammy Stewart while she fought her illness.
Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 22, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Vic Greene and Cherish Oberg will officiate. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service at Macon Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Eric Jackson, Jack Jackson, Ryan Jackson, Trevor Dalton, Tyler Dalton, Jonathan Oberg and Michael Jenkins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to CareNet, 130 Bidwell Street, Franklin, NC.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com.